Polarographic Study of Serum Proteins in Rheumatic Diseases by the Brdicka Reaction

The polarographic Brdicka filtrate reaction was studied in patients with rheumatic diseases. Abnormal reactions were observed, both before and after alkali denaturation, in rheumatoid arthritis, Reiter's disease, polymyositis and ankylosing spondylitis. The reaction was normal in osteoarthritis. The test was correlated with ESR but not with the Waaler-Rose titre, serum immunoglobulin fractions, haemoglobin, grip strength, joint erosions or administration of low doses of steroids. A positive reaction was considered to reflect an increase in mucoproteins with polarographically active SH-SS groups.